As you’re enjoying time in Seattle parks this summer, you may run into people giving out free snacks and lunches.
That’s because every summer, the City of Seattle chooses from 110 parks in the community to serve lunch and snacks each day. Children 18 and younger are eligible.
Carol Cartmell, human services supervisor for child nutrition programs in the City of Seattle, says the program provides nutritious meals for kids when school lunches are not available. She said she was recently reminded of its impact when she got a call from a mother of four who was experiencing homelessness.
“You could just hear the desperation in her voice,” Cartmell said. “She just needed to find a place where her four kids could have meals.”
Cartmell was able to direct the woman to a nearby park where the she could find lunch and snacks for her children. You can find a list of parks in the program here.
The program determines which parts of the city would benefit from the services by examining who qualifies for free and reduced-price lunches.
More than 18,000 children receive free and reduced-price lunches in Seattle.
